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Smith and Gibbs power S Africa to a nine-wicket win

Herschelle Gibbs hammered an unbeaten 93 and combined with skipper Graeme Smith in an opening partnership of 154 on Saturday as South Africa powered to a nine-wicket win over Zimbabwe to take control of the one-day international tri-series.

South Africa scored 175 for one in 34.2 overs to win with a bonus point after Zimbabwe, forced to bat in bowler-friendly conditions, had managed 174 for eight.

Gibbs and Smith, 58 runs off 98 balls, regained form with a huge opening stand and Martin van Jaasveld was unbeaten on eight when the game ended with more than 15 overs spare.

The win -- South Africa's third in-a-row -- all but guarantees the new favorite a place in next Saturday's final at Lord's. South Africa has three wins (17 points) from four matches.

England and Zimbabwe, who meet in Bristol on Sunday, will battle for the other place and have a win each after four games. Only a bonus point separate the pair _ England having 10 points and Zimbabwe nine.

After this lopsided game, an England win on Sunday with a bonus point will make it difficult for Heath Streak's side to qualify for the final.

It was South Africa's 14th win in 17 games against its African neighbor and sixth back-to-back.

It was emphatic victory after South Africa had started the 10-match tournament with a seven-wicket loss to England at The Oval last Saturday.

Gibbs, who had managed five, five, and one in his previous innings, rode his luck to post his 18th half century. Playing in his 132nd game, he was lucky to survive a catch behind before he had scored.

The opener appeared to edge skipper Heath Streak to wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu, but umpire Peter Willey turned down an animated appeal by the Zimbabweans. He was then was bowled by an Andy Blignaut no-ball on 17.

Gibbs reached his 50 off 53 balls by hitting offspinner Douglas Marillier for a straight six. Meanwhile Smith, resigned to play the supporting role in their biggest stand in 29 innings together, reached his eighth 50 in his 31st match off 84 balls.

Medium paceman Sean Ervine, the seventh bowler tried by Streak, made the long awaited breakthough with his first ball -- the 31st over -- when Smith edged him to Taibu.

Gibbs hit two sixes and 12 boundaries off 97 balls.

"It was a great all-around performance," said Smith. "We're really chuffed at the moment. Against England at The Oval we were nervous. We're more relaxed now.

"We said, as a side in the nets we were unbelievable, but it was a case of believing out in the middle.

"The more we win, the more we start to believe. We can't afford to slack off, and keep building on [today's] performance and keep going from strength to strength.

"We want to become a ruthless team that wins more than it loses."

After beating England in the series opener, Zimbabwe has now lost twice to South Africa.

"Maybe there is more of a self belief that we can beat England," said Streak. "We still respect both side and still prepare ourselves well against South Africa with the view to try and win the game.

Earlier, only a determined 72-ball 52 runs by Streak gave the innings a lift after Zimbabwe had struggled to 92 for six.

Streak and Ervine joined forces for a 52-run stand that lifted the run-rate over three for the first time in the 41st over.

Streak brought his seventh 50 in the 165th match in fine style with a majestic six off Jacques Kallis as the medium paceman was hit for 15 runs in the 47th over. But Kallis bowled Streak in the next over to finish with 3-47 in his 10 overs.

Almost every bowling change resulted in a breakthrough after medium paceman Makhaya Ntini forced opener Marillier to mistime a hook to Jacques Rudolph in the bowler's third over.
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